codamedia

^^^ this ^^^ :) The clip is a decent sounding little bluetooth speaker for casual listening... but it's not comparable in any way to a proper studio monitor or FRFR.

A small Mic pre such as the "ART TUBE MP" (or similar) or a small mixer with a couple XLR channels would do wonders in your setup. Just connect it up to a return on the LT and route it in as needed. Either option can be had for less than $100 (or as much as you want to spend) and would provide XLR in's and phantom power should you need it.

I get what you are asking... For example, the JCM 800 (2204) default is set for a nice drive tone, typical use for a JCM800. BUT - the JCM800 is also capable of some glorious crunch (soft dirt) and clean tones as well, but they are not represented within the Helix unless you know how to dial them in. I don't know of a resource for the models in the Helix, but IMO the best approach is to look up the options for an amp that interests you. If you search for "clean tone from a JCM 800" on google/you tube, you will find examples, and how to do it. Just apply that to the Helix. Repeat for other amps that interest you. It really helps for a person to understand the general concept of an amp.... (I'm not saying you don't, I'm just including it as general knowledge) Gain down > volume up for clean tones Gain up > volume down for crunch/dirt tones Adjust mid for richness (meat) of the tone (this is the character of most amps) Adjust bass/treble to taste.... varies wildly from guitar to guitar.

It goes in series on one side of the switch 1: Connect one lead to the switch 2: Connect the resistor to the other side of the switch 3: Connect the 2nd lead to the other side of the resistor.

OP... you are not alone in wishing this would work. IMO, it would be nice, but I certainly don't lose any sleep over it. To get around this I simply place my "least used" stomp switches off screen (off the 4x4 screen) and when I need access to them the MODE switch is my friend. There is a request for this feature on idea scale.... feel free to upvote it. https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Change-Stomp-Switches-with-each-Snapshot/835371-23508

IIRC, a normal footswitch won't work but you could easily wire in a 10K resistor with the switch, then it will respond just like an expression pedal moving instantly from "heal down" to "toe down". At that point you can assign anything to that switch that you could assign to an expression. Values, auto engage, toggle, etc... etc...

+1 IMO... that compressor is magic. It is meant to replicate an LA-2A found in most studio's which is applied to a recorded track. That's why you find it near the end of the chain... it puts a shine on the finished part or as you say, "a professional polish". Another great option for this within the Helix is the "3 Band Comp". In the studio world this is "multi-band compression", where the lows/mids/highs are compressed with separate settings. This prevents the low end energy from squeezing the high end at the same time. I often tell people that are after a specific tone they heard and can't quite get there... not just those with a Helix, but with boards and amps as well. "The magic they are often missing is the studio compression"...it is a sound most are actually very familiar with, they just don't realize it.

IMO... hard work pays off! I guess custom tone downloads will get you going with minimal effort. But you still won't know why something was used, how it works, and why you should use it. You can learn the material or you can download the answers and put blind trust in them. It's your choice!

Further to my post above.... If it makes you feel any better, I've been in the business at a pro level for nearly 40 years.... I have little to zero experience with at least half the the amps/cabs/effects included in the Helix. When I dial in one of those unknowns (to me), I'm no different from you in trying to figure out what it is suppose to be good for :)

Imagine how overwhelmed you would be if you had all the hardware versions of the items that were in the Helix :) This is my suggestion.... Decide on ONE TONE you are after Look online for a rig rundown, or see if others are talking about how to get that tone Setup a similar setup in the Helix.... learn the effects as needed. Once you do that 5 -10 times you will start to understand a few differences between similar effects. Over time (and only over time) will the knowledge begin to stick. IMO: Hearing how it all interacts is the ONLY WAY to understand, no explanations can really do it on their own.

I think Phil_m has already nailed it... your problem is likely related to the global setting of the EXP pedal(s). Like you, I also ride my delay levels with an expression pedal. I have tried all three EXP settings.... "preset/snapshot/global" and much prefer global. There is a lot to consider about the pro's/con's of each choice, then pick the option that suits your needs best. Global puts me 100% in control of the delay level.... never any surprises. That won't work for everyone.... but it works for me :)

@belliot21 Is there a reason you included me in your quote? Is there a reason you re-opened a 1 year old zombie thread just to give someone sh#!? :) Seriously.... Silverhead kindly provided a solution, then gave a simple reminder that the manual holds that very answer. I'm not sure how that can be considered rude!

This feature was introduced with firmware 2.8 so you need to make sure your Helix is up to date (2.82 as of this post). The preset mentioned above will not be there if it the firmware is older, or if you didn't update the presets with the firmware. Heed all instructions, including those that tell you to make a backup of your existing presets/setlists!

Catalina is rather new and the XT is rather old. I don't see any software available in the download area that is compatible for both, but that doesn't mean (for certain) that older versions won't work. EG: I know several of the Windows 7 versions work with Windows 10. I also keep an old Windows 7 desktop for pesky "old duties". They can be had for dirt cheap ($25 - $50) and will run old software forever. Every now and then I need to connect something archaic for various reasons, and it never lets me down :)

yes there is a hidden control.... Global > Midi/Variax > Variax On/Off (it was off, now it is on) Found it, things work fine!

Am I missing something, or is the VDI port on my XT Live as good as dead? The back story.... I have an old Variax 300.... and it works fine (with limitations) with my Helix LT. The other day I picked up a used XT Live with the intent of using it as a backup for my Helix, and as an interface for the Variax to Workbench on the computer. The XT Live is in showroom condition... everything works with no issues at all. Switches, knobs and buttons all respond 100%, USB works fine, etc... etc... The VDI port still had it's rubber cap, and when I removed that the connection looked pristine... there are no broken or bend pins, and they look spotless (no dust, dirt, grime, etc...) Plug in my Variax.... "no variax detected" is the only message I get when I scroll to the Variax screen on the XT Live. Cleaned the pins (carefully) with a q-tip and cleaner.... same problem Connect to Monkey when connected to the XT Live .... it only see's the XT Live, not the Variax Connect to Monkey when connected to the Helix.... Monkey can see the Variax fine... NOTE: Just a reminder of step 1.... The same cables work fine with the Helix LT. The Variax gets power, generates sound, and even changes presets when told. Am I missing something that needs to be done on the XT to get the VDI port working, or does it appear to be dead?

FWIW... the input impedance and noise gate on the guitar input are pretty much useless on a mic preamp or mixer.... so I would keep that input for instrument use. Not to mention... a return can also be set for LINE level, which is probably better for most mixers and even some mic pre-amps. Other than that... congrats on solving your problem. Adding a small mixer, or a mic pre is often a viable solution for the LT that costs much less than the upgrade to the Floor.

This is just personal preference. Some like the "amp in the room" sound and a PowerCab might be best for this as @rd2rk is outlining. Others may want an FRFR such as the Headrush (or many other options) so they hear their sound similar to the FOH, but still separate so they have better control of what they hear. Then there are users like myself.... give me the FOH and Monitor (fold back) any day, every day. Even when I used to use amps they were kept fairly quiet, were miced up, and fed back to me through my monitor. My preference (#3) does have a caveat attached though. It only works well when the gear meets a certain quality. The FOH and monitors need to meet a standard, and separate monitor mixes are a must. When requirements are not met, I have a Yorkville powered wedge/speaker to get me through those gigs.... in other words, I'm not against sliding back to option #2 when I have to. No right, no wrong... find what works for you and run with it.

You can't move it to the 2nd path, but you can copy it to the 2nd path. I'm not sure if that is possible on the unit itself, but it is possible using HX Edit.

FYI: I never took it as such... no harm done :)

^^^ This ^^^ is the heart of the problem/question. Instrument level into the amp.... almost always! The amp should have specs on it's effect loop stating what level it is. If it doesn't, assume it's line. Quick test.... if you have a stomp box (regular old pedal) put it in the loop. If it works as expected, it's instrument level. If it's distorted or just too hot in general... it's line level. Instrument vs line. They are just pre-defined levels! Every SEND/RETURN/LOOP block on the HX has level controls along with the general instrument/line settings. Use those to compensate as required. (hint: If you add 12db - 20db to an instrument send, it's in line level territory.... this also works in reverse to take line level to instrument level) Set your initial "UNITY" with no effects turned on other than the Send/Return/Loop. Get that right to begin with before adding any effects. Now work one effect at a time. They all have level controls for a reason - if it's too hot, turn it down. If it's too quiet, turn it up! USUALLY, the effect should be the same volume as when it is bypassed (give or take a little). Repeat for every block in the chain! That might sound like a lot of work, but it really isn't any different than pedals. You don't take a pedal out of a box and use it regardless of settings. You adjust it to your needs, and that includes the level control. Don't just insert a block and accept the default settings as they are.

There are no factory IR's pre-loaded in the Helix. There is a free set you can download from Line 6 called the Allure Pack (https://line6.com/allure/) but those are not pre-installed. If you bought a used Helix that came with a bunch of IR's and did a full reset.... those are gone unless the original owner wants to transfer them to you - which may or may not be in violation of purchase policy.

Two years in the HX family for me (6 months on an HX effects, then 1 1/2 years on the LT)... I feel the same way. As a multi-instrumentalist the Helix is a dream come true. I've got presets for all my instruments.... tele, strat, les paul, variax, mandolin, acoustic, nylon string, banjo, dobro, pedal steel. Since everything is carefully prepared and pre-mixed it all heads down one line to the FOH/Monitors. As complicated as my set up can appear, it is stupid simple at a gig and has never sounded better! As for cancelled gigs.... last weekends shows were cancelled on route, the rest of March is cancelled and now most of April is gone! It's going to be a tough road ahead!

Well I'll be.... I honestly didn't know the Firehawk had a VDI port, probably because I was never interested in a Firehawk. My comment was based on what I saw in the XT/X3/HD series... but I was obviously mistaken.

Mic Studio Tube Pre > LA Studio Comp Those two should get you really close, really fast! (note: the Studio tube pre is found under "Preamp > Mic ") I would throw a parametric EQ before or after the comp... and use that to shape the tone as required, but the initial two blocks should provide the character/color you are looking for.